Podem: building bridges
Iglesias hits out at a political class that builds walls between Catalonia and Spain and offers to redefine the country
spills out onto the forecourt with a grand show of strength
Podem made a grand show of strength by mobilising followers and public in general yesterday giving a clear indication it can shake up politics in Catalonia as well as Spain. The General Secretary of “yes we can!” rode into town with an offer of a “third way” of looking at the debate over the dichotomy of identity and independence and breaking the stranglehold of the nationalist parties, connecting with the demand for social and political change to motivate the electorate most affected by the economic crisis and disapproval of the traditional parties.
The doors to the Vall d'Hebron stadium closed early and many were forced to wait outside, following the meeting on phones and tablets. Considering the embryonic state of Podem's infrastructure in Catalonia, the turnout was impressive, with some 3,000 Catalan followers shouting “President, President!” as Iglesias took the podium.
“There are those who use politics to build walls,” said Iglesias, “we prefer to build bridges.” Podem's leader was harsh with those politicians from Spain who he said, insulted Catalonia, and who did not respect the fact that Spain was a country of nations.
Iglesias affirmed that he did not want Catalonia to leave Spain but should have the right to decide its future. “Sovereignty,” he said, “means that those who are responsible in politics do not represent investment funds but the people.”
The party that promises to turn the political world on its head in Catalonia shies away from the trappings of the left and the right and ask that flags be put to one side. “We are neither unionists nor nationalists, we are democrats.” The means to bring about change that Podem proposes is to take Spain into a constitutional process which will replace the constitution of 1978.
For its adversaries, Iglesias not only talked of CiU and the PP but also of ERC and CUP. “I promise you that you won't see me embracing Artur Mas or Mariano Rajoy”, in clear reference the complicity of CUP leader David Fernández with Artur Mas following the November 9 vote.
Fernández responded to the comments made by Iglesias asking him to support Catalonia's right to a referendum. Iglesias also refered to CUPs' call for a untied left coalition by saying that those in power do not fear the left, they fear the people.
Promise of things to come
When a new (political) visitor comes to town, albiet one who is likely to cause waves, it is considered polite that other parties offer a welcome and to day there was representation from Ricard Goma (ICV), Joan Late (ERC), Ferran Pedret (PSC) and Joan Josep Nuet (EUiA). But there was more to the meeting than dropping off a calling card. This was a formal statement of intentions and a promise of things to come. Iglesias stated that his party's message was just as valid here as it was in Madrid, because although there was almost no difference between Vallecas and Cornellà, there was an enormous difference between Pedralbes and Ciutat Meridiana, or the “city of evictions”.
Local party activists also laid claim to their rightful place in the Catalan political world. Gemma Galdonand Gemma Ubasart, Catalans, as they said, had no need of lessons from anyone as to what being Catalan means, “especially those who have enriched themselves with their 3%”.